Seven Major Bodies of Water Touching North America

North America's Aquatic Boundaries

The continent is bordered by seven principal marine water bodies:

1. Atlantic Ocean — East coast (Canada to Florida); 2nd largest ocean (~106M km²)
2. Pacific Ocean — West coast (Alaska to Panama); largest ocean (~165M km²)
3. Arctic Ocean — North coast (Alaska, Canada, Greenland); smallest (~14M km²)
4. Gulf of Mexico — Southeast (US, Mexico, Cuba); Atlantic marginal sea (~1.6M km²)
5. Caribbean Sea — South (Central America, Caribbean islands); Atlantic marginal sea (~2.75M km²)
6. Hudson Bay — Northeast Canada; Arctic marginal sea (~1.23M km²)
7. Bering Sea — Northwest (Alaska, Russia); Pacific/Arctic marginal sea (~2.3M km²)

Additional Significant Waters

• Labrador Sea (Atlantic) — between Greenland & Labrador
• Beaufort Sea (Arctic) — north of Alaska/Yukon
• Chukchi Sea (Arctic) — between Alaska & Russia
• Gulf of California (Pacific) — Baja California
• Salish Sea (Pacific) — Puget Sound + Strait of Georgia + Juan de Fuca
• Great Lakes (Freshwater) — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario (inland seas)

Why These Seven?

They represent the primary oceanic basins and major marginal seas directly contacting the continental coastline, defining North America's maritime geography, climate, and economies.